Criminal Justice (Judges)

SB 1437 - This act modifies and creates provisions relating to charging and sentencing repeat offenders. Prosecuting attorneys are required to execute and enforce criminal laws regarding repeat offenders. This act also establishes guidelines for the charging and removal of a prosecutor that fails to charge, plead, or prove a defendant's eligibility for an enhancement, or fails to abide by plea restrictions also created by this act. The Attorney General has the authority to file a civil complaint against a prosecuting attorney to remove such prosecuting attorney from office. This act requires circuit judges to abide by enhancement provisions for eligible defendants or forfeit rights to their office. The Attorney General is authorized to initiate quo warranto proceedings against a circuit judge that forfeits rights to their office subject to this provision. Under this act, when a person is found guilty of an offense and sentenced to an extended imprisonment, their offense shall be recorded as an offense of the class of the extended sentence. This act establishes a prohibition of plea agreements for defendants that are charged with certain enumerated crimes, or are eligible for enhancement, unless there is insufficient evidence to prove the case, and the prosecutor provides a written statement regarding the good faith justification for the plea agreement. The current sentencing ranges for felony classes are modified as follows: • Class A felony increased to fifteen years to forty years, from ten years to thirty years; • Class B felony increased to ten years to twenty years, from five years to fifteen years; • Class C felony increased to five years to fifteen years, from three years to ten years; • Class D felony increased to three years to ten years, from a maximum of seven years; and • Class E felony increased to two to five years, from a maximum of four years. This act repeals the court's discretion to sentence a person convicted of a class D or E felony to less than one year in the county jail. Under this act, a prior felony offender that is found guilty of a class A felony shall be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment for a class A felony that is not life imprisonment. A persistent felony offender, as defined in the act, that is found guilty of a class A felony shall be sentenced to life imprisonment. Further, this act requires that a prior felony offender that has been found guilty of a class B, C, D, or E felony shall be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment, except life imprisonment, for the class that is one class higher than the offense for which they are found guilty. A persistent felony offender that is found guilty of a class B, C, D, or E felony shall be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment, including life imprisonment, for the class that is two classes higher than the offense for which they are found guilty. This act provides that a persistent misdemeanor offender, as defined in the act, who is found guilty of a class A, B, or C misdemeanor shall be sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment for a class E felony. Under this act, a person that receives an enhanced sentence shall not serve a term of imprisonment less than the maximum term of imprisonment allowable under law. In addition, such person shall not be eligible to have their sentence suspended, waived, or reduced by any means, including by the Parole Board. This act has a severability clause and an emergency clause. TRISTAN BENSON, JR.

The bill's official abstract ("Modifies and creates new provisions relating to illegal immigrants") provides no substantive details about its content, provisions, or intended effects. No specific mechanisms, affected groups, or policy changes are described in the available information. Since the bill is only at the "S First Read" stage (2026-02-26) with no further details provided, a meaningful summary cannot be generated. The abstract alone is insufficient to describe what the bill does or who it would affect.

SJR 110 proposes amending Missouri's Constitution to allow criminal defendants to waive jury trials with the government's and court's consent, making the judge's ruling legally equivalent to a jury verdict. It repeals the current constitutional provision on jury trials and replaces it with new language governing jury sizes in civil cases and waiver procedures. This constitutional amendment will be submitted to Missouri voters in the 2026 election for approval or rejection. The bill directly affects criminal defendants who choose to forgo a jury trial.

SB 1309 modifies rules for admitting expert testimony in court. It requires experts to base opinions on reliable data and methods, and mandates that testimony must help the judge or jury understand evidence or resolve facts. The bill applies to most civil cases (like family law or probate) and criminal cases, but specifically prohibits experts from stating opinions about a defendant’s mental state in criminal trials. These changes aim to ensure expert testimony is both relevant and scientifically sound before being presented to a court.

HB 2201 strengthens penalties for filing false documents with government entities in Missouri. It defines specific documents (like property records, liens, court filings, or financial forms) as "false" if they contain materially false information, are fraudulent, or lack proper consent. The bill makes this a Class C felony for first offenses, but elevates it to a Class B felony if the victim is a judge, law enforcement officer, elected official, or other protected public servant. It also requires government agencies (like county recorders) to log suspicious filings and notify law enforcement within two days, while mandating restitution to victims. This directly affects individuals or entities submitting documents to government offices, particularly those targeting public officials.

HB 2348 changes the trial process for first-degree murder cases where the death penalty is not waived. It requires a two-stage trial: first, a jury or judge decides guilt (without considering punishment), and second, if convicted, they determine punishment based on specific legal standards. The bill mandates life imprisonment without parole if the jury finds the defendant intellectually disabled, lacks sufficient aggravating factors, or determines mitigating evidence outweighs aggravating factors. It also clarifies jury instructions for cases where punishment is disputed, including procedures if the jury cannot agree on a sentence. This applies only to offenses committed on or after August 28, 2001.